AU663140B2

AU663140B2 - Window-lock and lever-type lock

Info

Publication number: AU663140B2
Application number: AU30509/92A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Shoji Suzuki
Original assignee: Suzusho Trading Co
Current assignee: Suzusho Trading Co
Priority date: 1991-12-31
Filing date: 1992-12-31
Publication date: 1995-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 2012-12-31
Also published as: DE4244414C2; US5355700A; FR2686643B1; AU3050992A; GB2263723A; FR2686643A1; GB2263723B; JP2512396Y2; DE4244414A1; JPH0557257U; NZ245608A; GB9227194D0

Description

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AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT a~rf os Do ooo o ooo

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ORIGINAL

ou o o o 0 a Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Invention Title: SUZUSHO TRADING CO.

Shoji Suzuki SHELSTON WATERS Clarence Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 "WINDOW-LOCK AND LEVER-TYPE LOCK" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:- L I I I _I 1 la WINDOW-LOCK AND LEVER-TYPE LOCK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a window-lock used in sliding windows and sliding doors and to a lever-type lock used for windows, doors and the like which open and close by .00 being rotated.

a Description of the Related Art In residences and offices, window-locks and lever-type 0, 0 10 locks are used for sliding windows and sliding doors and for wind. L, doors and the like which open and close by being rotated. The conventional window-lock includes a catch, a I fixed portion, and a latch. The catch is fixed to the frame of one of double sliding windows, and the fixed portion is 15 fixed to the frame of the other window. The latch is o 0 isupported by the fixed portion so as to be freely rotatable, and engages with the catch when rotated by the operation of an operating lever portion. The conventional lever-type lock is provided with a fixed portion, an operating lever portion, an engaging portion, and a latch. The fixed portion is fixed to a window or the like which is opened and closed by being rotated. The engaging portion engages with a window frame or the like by being rotated by operation of the operating lever portion. The latch is supported by the

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-2fixed portion so as to be freely rotatable.

With doors or windows such as an rluminum sash in which there is glass, if the glass is partially broken in the vicinity of the window-lock or the lever-type lock and the operating iever portion of the latch is rotated, the window-lock or the lever-type lock can be easily unlocked. As a result, prowlers can enter the premises extremely easily. The conventional window-lock and lever-type lock are uot sufficiently effective in preventing crime.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the aforementioned, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lock assembly for a window which substantially ameliorates some of the disadvantages of the prior art.

o Accordingly, the invention provides a lock assembly for a window including first 4 0 s and second window frame members supported for relative movement between an open and a closed position, said lock assembly including: 4 15 a catch mounted on said first frame member; a latch rotatably mounted on said second frame member for selectively engaging said catch when said window is in the closed position, thereby preventing relative o a l o o o movement of said window frame members; A 0 a lock member on said latch for preventing rotation of said latch when said latch S04 and said catch are engaged, said lock member including a plurality of combination 1 elements, each being selectively and individually movable between a number of pi-selected positions; Sf rA er P 7 -3a shaft member extending from said lock member for selective relative movement between an unlocked and at least one locked position; a first keeper on one of said frame members to captively retain the distal end of said shaft member in a first locked position thereby preventing rotation of said latch; and a second keeper on said lock member for engaging said distal end of said shaft member when said shaft member is not in said first locked position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a window-lock according to the invention.

Fig. 2A is an explanatory illustration showing the window-lock of Fig. 1 in an unlocked position.

o« Fig. 2B is an explanatory illustration showing the same lock in an unlocked u. position.

0 Fig. 3 is a front view of a locked state, and illustrates an embodiment of a lever- 000@ *o 15 type lock according to the present invention.

Fig. 4A is a partially sectional view of the lock of Fig. 3 in an unlocked position as seen from the direction of arrow A of Fig. 3.

0 04 oFig. 4B is a partially sectional view of the same lock in a locked position from 0 the direction of arrow A of Fig. 3.

00 Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the lock of Fig. 3 in which the shaft member is released from the locked position.

Fig. 6 is a front view of the lock of Fig. 3 in which the latch has been rotated from the position shown in Fig. 5, thereby allowing the window to be opened.

I I I -4- Fig. 7 is a central sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a combination padlock of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a front view of the main parts illustrated in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is an exploded view of the main parts illustrated in Fig. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. As illustrated in Fig. 1, a window-lock 10 is formed by a catch 11, a fixed portion 12, and a latch 14. The catch 11 is fixed to a frame 3 of one of double sliding windows 1, 2 such as an aluminum sash. The fixed portion 12 is fixed to a frame 4 of the other of the sliding windows 1, 2 in the same way as the catch 11 is fixed to the frame 3. The latch 14 is axially supported on the fixed portion 12 by a pin 13 so as to rotate freely. The latch 14 is rotated by an operating lever portion 14a. The above-described structure is commonly known.

In the present embodiment, a combination padlock 15 is mounted to the operating lever portion 14a. A distal end of a bolt member 16, which serves as a shaft member, is inserted into an engaging hole or keeper 12a provided in the fixed portion 12.

In the combination padlock 15, when the bolt member 16 is rotated an arbitrary angle i: from a second keeper in the form o" a hole 15a of the combination padlock 15, the bolt member 16 can be locked. In the present embodiment, even if the bolt member 16 is inserted into the first engaging hole 12a of the fixed portion 12, the bolt member 16 can be locked by combination elements in the form of rotating dials 17. The structure of the .combination padlock 15 will be described in detail later.

I Usually, the bolt member 16 is released from its locked state by the dials 17 of QP _W the combination padlock 15 being rotated. The bolt member 16 is removed from the engaging hole or keeper 12a, is rotated in the direction of the combination padlock and is inserted into tLe hole 15a or second keeper of the combination padlock 15 (the state shown in Fig. 2A). After the sliding windows 1, 2 are shut, the operating lever portion 14a is rotated so that the latch 14 is made to engage the catch 11. The bolt member 16 is raised, is rotated so as to be above the engaging hole 12a, and the end thereof is inserted into the engaging hole 12a (the state illustrated by Figs. 1 and 2B).

Then, the bolt member 16 is locked by the dials 17 being rotated appropriately. When the sliding windows 1, 2 are to be opened, the dials 17 are rotated to respective numbers set in advance which unlock the bolt member 16, and the locked state of the bolt member 16 is cancelled. The bolt member 16 is pulled upward so that the end thereof is removed from the engaging hole 12a. If the bolt member 16 is rotated in the direction of the 0o° o combination padlock 15, the operating lever portion 14a can be rotated. In the illustrated embodiment, when the operating lever portion 14a is rotated, the bolt member 16 is grasped and rotated. Therefore, a bolt member cover 18 may be placed over the bolt S member 16. Further, the operating lever member 14a may be extended above the---7 6 tt a I S combination pad lock Because the combination pad lock 15 is incorporated into the window-lock 10, even if the glass near the windowlock 10 is partially broken, the combination pad lock cannot be unlocked and the operating lever portion 14a cannot be rotated if the previously set numbers of the dials 17 are not known. Therefore, the present embodiment is an excellent structure for preventing crime. Further, if the numbers of the combination pad lock 15 can be freely changed, members of the household can create their own combination of numbers so that the combination will not be easily forgotten. Instead of the combination pad lock 4 0 a an ordinary lock which is locked and unlocked by a key can be installed on the window-lock. However, using a key results in drawbacks such as storage of the key, loss thereof, and the like. When the combination pad lock 15 is used, these drawbacks do not arise because a key is not used. Further, the main body of the combination pad lock may be formed integrally with the operating lever portion 14a. The main body of the combination pad lock 15 may be covered by a cover so that a portion of the dials 17 is exposed.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 3 through 6. A levertype lock 20 includes a fixed portion 21 and a latch 22 Li I 1 1

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axially supported on the fixed portion 21 so as to be freely rotatable. The fixed portion 21 is fixed to a window 30 which is opened and closed by being rotated. The latch 22 includes an engaging portion 23, which engages with a window frame 31, and an operating lever portion 24, which rotates the latch 22. The above-described structure is commonly known.

In the present embodiment, the combination padlock 15 is formed integrally with the base portion of the operating lever portion 24. An engagement portion 21 a, which is an engagement groove or keeper in which the end of the bolt member 16 of the combination padlock 15 is inserted, is provided in the fixed portion 21. The bolt member cover 18 is attached to the bolt member 16 in order to facilitate opera' 'n of the bolt member 16.

Fig. 5 illustrates a state in which the window 30 is in a state in which it can be 1 1 opened and closed and the bolt member cover 18 is pulled so that the end of the bolt 0 1 member 16 is removed from the hole 15a of the combination padlock 15. When the window 30 is to be locked, the operating lever portion 24 is rotated from the state shown in Fig. 6 in the direction of arrow B so that the engaging portion 23 engages the window frame 31 as shown in Figs, 3, 4A and 4B. Next, the bolt member cover 18 is C .0 i rotated so that the end of the bolt member 16 corresponds to the engaging portion 21a of the fixed portion 21, as shown in Fig. 4B. Thereafter, the bolt member cover 18 is pushed upward so that the end of the bolt member 16 is inserted into the engaging portion 21a. When the dials 17 are rotated appropriately, the bolt member 16 is locked. When thc window 30 is to be opened, the dials 17 are rotated to respective numbers set in advance which unlock the bolt member 16, and the locked state of the bolt member 16 is 10 canceled. Thereafter, the bolt member 16 is pulled downward so that the end of the bolt member 16 is removed from the engaging portion 21a. If the bolt member 16 is rotated in the direction of the combination pad lock 15, the operating lever portion 24 can be rotated.

Because the combination pad lock 15 is incorporated into the lever-type lock 20, even if the glass near the lever-type lock 20 is partially broken, the operating lever portion 24 cannot be rotated if the previously set numbers of the dials 17 are not known. Accordingly, by incorporating the combination pad lock 15 into the levcrtype lock 20, the same effects as those of the embodiment in which the combination pad lock 15 is installed in the window-lock 10 can be achieved.

Next, an embodiment of the combination pad lock suitable for the window-lock 10 and the lever-type lock

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t -9will be described with reference to Figs. 7 through 9. A pipe member or cylindrical sleeve is fitted with play into a cylindrical, hollow portion 41 formed in a main body 40 of the combination padlock 15. The pipe member 50 is slidable along the axial direction thereof.

A groove 51 is provided in an outer circumference of the pipe member 50 in the axial direction thereof. A protrusion 42 formed on the main body 40 engages with the groove 51 so that the pipe member 50 cannot rotate. The bolt member 16, which is rod-like and formed as the letter is inserted so as to be freely rotatable in an interior hole of the pipe member 50. Protruding portions 16a, 16b protrude from the outer circumference of the bolt member 16 at an end portion and an intermediate portion, respectively, of the bolt member 16. The protruding portions 16a, 16b are disposed so that both end portions of the pipe member 50 in the axial direction thereof are interposed between the protruding portions 16a, 16b. The protruding portions 16a, 16b form a fall-out preventing means which keeps the pipe member 50 from falling out. The bolt member 16 is supported by the pipe member Three protruding portions 52, 53, 54 are formed on the outer circumference of the pipe member 50. Three cut-out windows 43, 44, 45 are provided in the main body 40. Three dial rings 60, 61, 62, which serve as a plurality of movable members and correspond to the dials 17 in Figs. 1 through 6, 0 0 0 0 a I bWo t/j t 5 I'

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t' 0/- L Ct I I_ \0 are disposed so that one portion of the outer circumference of each of the dial rings 60, 61, 62 is exposed at the respective cut-out windows 43, 44, 45. The dial rings 61, 62 are fitted with play around the pipe member 50. The numbers 0 through 9 are engraved in and spaced equally on the respective outer circumferences of the dial rings 61, 62 in the circumferential directions thereof. Notch grooves 63, 64, 65 are formed respectively in the interior holes of the dial rings 60, 61, 62 and are shaped such that the protruding portions 52, 53, 54 of the pipe member 50 can pass through the notch grooves 63, 64, 65. The bolt member *16 projects toward the outside from a h le 46 provided in the main body 40. An end portion 16c, which is curved into the shape of the letter J, of the bolt member 16 is engageable with a hole 47 (corresponding to the hole 15a in Figs. 1 through 6) provided in the main body Next, operation of the combination pad lock 15 will be described. The exposed portions on the respective outer circumferences of the dial rings 60, 61, 62 are rotated to positions corresponding to the numbe.'s set in advance, i.e., positions at which the notch grooves 63, 64, 65 of the dial rings 60, 61, 62 correspond to the respective protruding portions 52, 53, 54 of the pipe member 50. When the notch grooves 63, 64, 65 are at the positions corresponding to the projecting portions 52, 53, 54, namely, when the positions

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tC.1 c t k ~1 It of the dial rings 60, 61, 62 correspond to the appropriate combination, the pipe member 50 becomes movable in the axial direction thereof. Therefore, when the bolt member 16 is pulled, the pipe member 50 is moved therewith, and the protruding portions 52, 53, 54 enter the notch grooves 63, 64, 65. The lock is thereby released. Because the bolt member 16 is inserted in the pipe member 50 so as to be freely rotatable, the bolt member 16 can be turned when the combination pad lock 15 is unlocked as described above. In I 1 0 this case, because the protrusion 42 of the main body engages with the groove 51 of the pipe member 50 and the pipe member 50 cannot rotate within the main body 40, the pipe member 50 does not rotate even if the bolt member 16 is rotated as described above. Further, because the protruding portions 52, 53, 54 of the pipe member 50 respectively engage with the notch grooves 63, 64, 65 of the dial rings 61, 62, the dial rings 60, 61, 62 do not rotate even if 00040 ,the bolt member 16 is rotated. Namely, because the positions of the protruding portions 52, 53, 54 in the direction of rotation thereof do not move, the numbers set in advance do not change even if the bolt member 16 is rotated.

On the other hand, when the locked state is released, the bolt member 16 is rotated so that the end portion 16c corresponds to the hole 47 in the main body 40. When the

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bolt member 16 is pushed so that the end portion 16c is inserted into the hole 47, the pipe member 50 is moved along with the bolt member 16 so that the protruding portions 52, 53, 54 of the pipe member 50 are offset in the axial direction from the notch grooves 63, 64, 65 of the dial rings 60, 61, 62. Then, the dial rings 60, 61, 62 are rotated appropriately so that the positions of the notch grooves 63, 64, 65 are deviated from the positions of the protruding portions 52, 53, 54. Accordingly, the combination pad lock 15 is locked so that even if the bolt member 16 is pulled, the protrvding portions 52, 53, 54 of the pipe member 50 hit against the side surfaces of the dial rings 60, 61, 62, and the bolt member 16 cannot be pulled out. Further, even when the end portion 16c is not inserted t 15 into the hole 47, the combination pad lock 15 is locked oy pushing the bolt member 16, rotating the dial rings 60, 61, 62 appropriately, and setting the dial rings 60, 61, 62 at 0o locking combinations.

Next, the method of use of the combination pad lock I 20 of the aforementioned embodiments will be described with reference to Fig. 7. When a member 70 (corresponding to the operating lever member 14a in Fig. 1 and the operating lever member 24 in Figs. 3 through 6) and another member 71 (corresponding to the fixed portion 12 in Fig. 1 and the fixed portion 21 in Figs. 3 through 6) are locked by the f combination pad lock 15, the combination pad lock 15 is mounted to the member 70, and a hole 72, in which the end portion 16c of the bolt member 16 is inserted, is provided at the other member 71. (The hole 72 corresponds to the engaging hole 12a in Fig. 1 and the engaging portion 21a in Figs. 3 through When the combination pad lock 15 is unlocked, the bolt member 16 is rotated so that the end portion 16c corresponds to the hole 72 of the other member 71. The bolt member 16 is pushed, and the end portion 16c is inserted into the hole 72. Accordingly, by performing the same operations as those effected when the combination pad lock 15 is locked, the protruding portions 52, 53, 54 of the pipe member 50 are offset in the axial direction from the notch grooves 63, 64, 65 of the dial rings 60, 61, 62.

Therefore, if the dial rings 60, 61, 62 are appropriately rotated, the bolt member 16 is locked. In this way, the bolt member 16 can be locked at arbitrary positions of rotation of the dial wheels 60, 61, 62.

Further, the above embodiments are described with o Q o 20 reference to a case in which a combination pad lock is used.

However, instead of the combination pad lock, an electronic lock, which is locked and unlocked by a plurality of movale portions being set at various combinations of positions by operation of a keyboard panel for inputting a security code number, can be used.

Claims

1. A lock assembly for a window including first and second window frame members supported for relative movement between an open and a closed position, said lock assembly including: ri a catch mounted on said first frame member; a latch rotatably mounted on said second frame member for selectively engaging said catch when said window is in the closed position, thereby preventing relative movement of said window frame members; a lock member on said latch for preventing rotation of said latch when said latch and said catch are engaged, said lock member including a plurality of combination elements, each being selectively and individually movable between a number of preselected positions; a shaft member extending from said lock member for selective relative movement between an unlocked and at least one locked position; o 15 a first keeper on one of said frame members to captively retain the distal end of said shaft member in a first locked position thereby preventing rotation of said latch; and a second keeper on said lock member for engaging said distal end of said shaft member when said shaft member is not in said first locked position. i 2. A lock assembly according to claim 1 wherein said second keeper is adapted to 20 captively retain the distal end of said shaft member in a second locked position permitting rotation of said latch.

3. A lock assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said first keeper is A located on a fixed member mounted on said second frame member. -0 0' Av>« a window frame or the liKe by being rotated by operation of the operating lever portion. The latch is supported by the i

4. A lock assembly according to claim 3 wherein said latch is rotatably mounted on said fixed member. A lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lock member, said shaft member and said second keeper take the general form of a combination padlock.

6. A lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said shaft member is substantially U-shaped.

7. A lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lock member is disposed on an operating lever forming part of said latch.

8. A lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lock member includes: a lock body; 0 a cylindrical sleeve slidably disposed within the body and including a plurality of G t 'r outwardly extending protrusions; o i 15 a plurality of spaced apart generally annular combination elements disposed for 0tr S° coaxial rotation around the sleeve, each combination element including an inner axially extending groove complementary with the respective protrusions formed on the sleeve; the proximal end of the shaft member being captively retained by the sleeve so as oo o o to permit relative rotational displacement and to prevent relative axial displacement between the shaft member and the sleeve; such that selection of a predetermined unique arrangement of the combination elements brings said grooves axially into alignment with the respective protrusions, to 1 C -16- permit the sleeve to slide past the combination elements and thereby to move the shaft member into the unlocked position; and such that in any other arrangement of combination elements, misalignment between at least one of said grooves and at least one of said protrusions prevents axial movement of the sleeve past the combination elements and thereby retains the shaft member in the locked position.

9. A lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said first and second window frame members respectively form part of first and second windows supported for relative sliding movement between an open and a closed position.

10. A lock assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein one of said first and second window frame members forms part of a fixed window frame, and wherein the other of said window frame members forms part of a window pivotably mounted in said window frame for relative rotational movement between an open and closed position. S 15 11. A lock assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said catch forms I' 44 #4 r part of said first frame member.

12. A lock assembly according to any one of claims I to 11 wherein said latch includes a generally flat extension adapted to engage said first frane member when said latch is in a closed position, thereby preventing said window from being opened. 4

17- 13. A lock assembly substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 2B, 3 to 6, or 7 to 9 of the accompanying drawings. DATED this 24 day of JULY, 1995 SUZUSHO TRADING CO. Attorney: STUART M. SMITH Fellow Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia of SHELSTON WATERS I o' 4 o I 1 -e